Latest news with #ProducerResponsibility
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
A bottle bill deserves to pass the R.I. General Assembly. Here's why beverage brands think so.
Bottles and cans to be redeemed at a recycling center in New York City are shown. (Photo by) Rhode Island has a major opportunity to modernize and reform its recycling system with two common-sense bills currently before the legislature. H6207 sponsored by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, a South Kingstown Democrat, and S 996, sponsored by Sen. Mark McKenney, a Warwick Democrat, would establish a modern Deposit Return System – a.k.a. 'A bottle bill' – and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging. EPR essentially requires producers of packaging to fund a program for collecting and recycling discarded packaging to help minimize their environmental impact. Together, these proven policies would reduce litter, cut costs for the consumer, and build a cleaner environment. As the legislative debate continues, it's clear that momentum is growing for recycling reform — not just among environmental advocates and local leaders, but within the private sector as well. Environmental champions like Save the Bay and Clean Water Action strongly support these initiatives. And you might be surprised to learn that the beverage industry does too. Many beverage companies see a combined bottle bill and EPR system as a smart, forward-looking solution to address flaws with the way we handle recycling. Rhode Island's recycling rate is stuck at just 26%. In Providence, it's worse — recycling rates hover in the single digits, and nearly 650 pounds of recyclables per household are rejected each year due to contamination. That adds up to over 121,000 tons of collected recyclable material per year that the city pays $1.14 million to dispose of in the Central Landfill in Johnston, which is projected to run out of room in about 20 years. This represents both wasted resources and missed economic opportunity. We can — and must — do better. Leading beverage companies who are part of the Coalition for High Performance Recycling (CHPR) agree. A growing number of beverage companies are publicly endorsing recycling reform in Rhode Island. These companies understand there's a clear business case for the industry to support and fund improved recycling systems. A reliable, domestic supply of recycled materials is essential for both short- and long-term success. Brands can no longer rely on volatile global markets, unstable geopolitics, or imported raw materials to meet their production needs. Companies need a steady, local stream of recycled material — so that each can and bottle can be recycled into new cans and bottles. Who belongs to CHPR ? Primo Brands — whose trusted brands include Poland Spring and Saratoga. Other participating beverage and bottling companies are Diageo North America,whose brands include Guinness and Johnnie Walker New Belgium Brewing Company; Niagara Bottling; and Red Bull. As Primo Brands recently testified at the Rhode Island State House in support of a modern bottle bill and EPR, 'we need a greater supply of recycled materials, and we need it to be domestic.' A growing number of beverage companies are publicly endorsing recycling reform in Rhode Island. These companies understand there's a clear business case for the industry to support and fund improved recycling systems. The current domestic recycling system doesn't get the job done. One reason is that curbside recyclables are lumped into one single, albeit convenient, system. That inevitably leads to contamination, which reduces the value of the recycled products and the ability to turn them into food grade material. Another problem is that people are not sufficiently educated and incentivized to recycle. A modern bottle bill with an extended producer responsibility policy together provides an environmental improvement strategy and improves consumer education and recycling. Plus, they're smart, complementary business strategies that support stable, domestic supply chains that produce higher-quality recycled materials and help keep costs down for the consumer. Rhode Island can become a national model for high-performance recycling. By passing H6207 and S996 — a modern bottle bill plus EPR — the state can significantly reduce litter, pollution, and waste, protect its natural beauty and resources, and create a more circular, resilient, and sustainable economy and environment. We need to tune out the scare tactics and outdated talking points of industry opponents and support recycling reform for Rhode Island. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
The Star
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Second life for dead EV batteries
PETALING JAYA: With the number of electric vehicles (EVs) in Malaysia on the rise, talks have begun with EV producers on what to do with the almost 900,000 depleted lithium-ion batteries by 2050. This is because if they are improperly disposed, the depleted EV batteries could pose environmental and health challenges for the nation. CLICK TO ENLARGE 'We are currently working towards introducing an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiative for EV batteries. 'If you manufacture EVs, you will also be responsible for the batteries at the end of their lifespan. 'This includes the retrieval of the batteries for recycling or otherwise,' said outgoing Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad ( pic ) during a recent interview with The Star. Special interview with Nik Nazmi15 MAY 2025 —CHAN TAK KONG/The Star The issue of depleted EV batteries, he said, needs to be addressed as the number of EVs in the country is expected to rise in the near future. 'We are looking at how best to deal with the increasing number of EV batteries as the number of EVs is set to rise. ALSO READ: 'EV ecosystem urgently needed' 'This is likely to happen when the RON95 targeted petrol subsidy is implemented and with the entry of cheaper EV models,' he added. It was reported that based on an eight-year battery lifecycle and registration data of EVs in the country, the number of depleted EV batteries that will need to be processed is estimated to increase drastically from 40,000 in 2030 to 330,000 by 2040 and 870,000 by 2050. The number of new EVs registered in Malaysia has surged in recent years, rising from 274 units in 2021 to 21,789 units last year. For this year alone, a total of 7,942 EVs have been registered as of April, representing a significant year-over-year growth of 79.7% compared to the same period in 2024. China, which is currently the world's top EV producer, has an EPR policy to recycle 70% of EV batteries by 2030, while the European Union (EU) has regulations for EV manufacturers to design batteries aimed at recycling. ALSO READ: Consumers, manufacturers key to enforcing EV battery recycling In Japan, the country's automakers work with the local councils to conduct battery collection and reuse programmes while the United States has set aside over US$3bil (RM12.7bil) under its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for battery material recycling and second-life research. Nik Nazmi said talks have begun with EV manufacturers here on the EPR, although no formal decision has been made yet. 'Talks have begun but informally. It was done – not on a formal platform – but we (the ministry and EV makers) had the chance to meet at events. 'We have yet to formalise talks with the EV manufacturers,' he said, adding that the EPR would come under the responsibility of the Environment Department. The department, said Nik Nazmi, is also drafting designated guidelines for the disposal of EV batteries and solar panels which are listed as scheduled waste. 'The designated guidelines are needed to address the increase of EVs in the country as well as the use of solar panels. 'More and more people are turning to solar energy, and there has been an increase in the use of solar panels over the past few years. 'This is in line with the nation's transition to renewable energy and the increasing electricity tariffs,' he said. Nik Nazmi said recycling EV batteries is one of the main approaches to be taken when dealing with depleted batteries. 'We have agreed that this is the best way forward as it will also lessen our dependence on mining for the minerals required to produce the batteries,' he added. The global EV battery recycling market is expected to grow to US6.5bil (RM27.56bil) in the next five years. According to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), the nation's battery market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.28% from 2022 to 2027.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
India story is ‘kindness towards friends, might against enemies', says Environment Minister
The 'India story' that propelled the economy 'ahead' of Japan, the United Kingdom and France was a story of 'kindness towards friends, use of might against enemies, and that of democracy walking alongside development', Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Thursday (May 29, 2025). He was speaking at a meeting of business leaders at a conclave of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) themed 'Building Trust – India First' He underscored that the essence of the India story lay in 'always keeping India first', being 'assertive and forceful towards all those who planned on hurting Bharat', and ensuring that 'water and blood didn't flow together' [a reference to India suspending the Indus water sharing treaty with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack]. 'Most trusted partner' He said India was the 'most trusted partner' for the world due to its political stability, leadership, values, and commitment to a sustainable world. India is a 'land of development-oriented nature worshippers' and is a 'voice of the Global South'. India's 'unique climate policy architecture' successfully balanced 'development imperatives with ambitious climate goals'. From 2022 to 2024, India's recycling sector attracted investments totalling ₹10,000 crore, reflecting industry commitment to sustainable practices. The circular economy sector is projected to be worth $2 trillion by 2050, creating approximately 10 million jobs, he said at a session on 'India's Climate Policy Architecture: Pathways for Emerging Economies'. The government had introduced 'Extended Producer Responsibility' (EPR) guidelines for various sectors, including tyres, batteries, plastics, and e-waste, to promote recycling and sustainable consumption. The government has released the Draft Framework of the Climate Finance Taxonomy, outlining methodologies for classifying activities under adaptation and mitigation, he noted. Moreover, the development of the first National Adaptation Plan, to be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), focuses on enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening knowledge systems, and reducing exposure to climate risks, said Mr. Yadav.
